DHCS All Plan Letter 14-004 Screening, Brief Intervention, And Referral to Treatment for Misuse of Alcohol

This letter explains the obligations of Medi-Cal managed care plans (MCPs) to providing screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) services for beneficiaries ages 18 and over who misuse alcohol. PCPs must offer a Staying Healthy Assessment within 120 days of enrollment and every 3 years. Plans are required to cover and pay for expanded alcohol screening for member 18 years and older who answer “yes” to the alcohol question on the assessment or any time a PCP identifies alcohol misuse problem. The letter can be found here.